GC fight in Tour de France rekindles on stage 20 for tenth position
Ben O'Connor and Jordan Jegat Shine in the 2022 Tour de France
In the thrilling 2022 Tour de France, two riders stood out for their impressive performances - Ben O'Connor from Jayco AlUla and Jordan Jegat of TotalEnergies.
Ben O'Connor, an Australian rider, made a significant impact early in the race with a stage win at Courchevel. However, it was his performance on the grueling Col de la Loze in stage 18 that truly captured attention. In a daring solo breakaway, O'Connor executed a decisive victory, earning his second career Tour de France stage win and moving up in the general classification (GC) rankings. This victory helped secure his position in the top ten overall by the latter part of the race [1][5].
Meanwhile, Jordan Jegat's performance came to prominence in stage 20. Riding for TotalEnergies, Jegat was a key member of a breakaway group that threatened Ben O'Connor's position in the overall standings. With a strong finish, Jegat managed to leapfrog O'Connor into 10th place overall after the stage [3]. This achievement was a significant milestone for Jegat and his team, highlighting the tactical importance of successful breakaways in impacting GC positions even late in the Tour.
Ben O'Connor's stage win was noteworthy as he became the first non-European stage winner at that Tour edition [4]. His climbing strength and tactical acumen were on full display during his solo breakaway. Jordan Jegat's breakaway success in a late stage had direct consequences on the GC, demonstrating how breakaways can influence overall standings beyond just stage victories [3].
Steve Cummings, sports director for Jayco AlUla, expressed some frustration at the reticence of other teams to help with the chase, but acknowledged Ben O'Connor's emotional gesturing as "normal" for a rider who wears his heart on his sleeve [6]. Lilian Lebreton, the directeur of TotalEnergies, spoke highly of Jordan Jegat, stating that the Tour de France confirms all the good things they think about him and that he is the leader of the team [7].
As the Tour de France comes to a close, both Ben O'Connor and Jordan Jegat look forward to the rest of the racing season. Lebreton aims to keep Jegat focused and protected from the fervor around him, while helping him to motivate himself for the rest of the season [8]. The battle for the GC may have subsided, but both riders are eager to continue their impressive form in the coming races.
| Rider | Tour de France 2022 Highlights | GC Implications | |---------------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|-------------------------------------| | Ben O'Connor | Won stage 18 solo on Col de la Loze, his second Tour stage win, climbed into top 10 after stage 18. | Finished in top 10 overall GC. | | Jordan Jegat | Key rider in stage 20 breakaway, strong finish enabled leapfrogging O'Connor for 10th place. | Moved ahead of O'Connor into 10th GC.|
References: [1] Cyclingnews [2] VeloNews [3] CyclingTips [4] Cycling Weekly [5] ESPN [6] Cycling News [7] TotalEnergies [8] TotalEnergies
Sports enthusiasts around the world watched as Ben O'Connor and Jordan Jegat showcased their exceptional skills during the 2022 Tour de France. Not only did both riders, Ben O'Connor from Jayco AlUla and Jordan Jegat of TotalEnergies, impress with their individual performances, but they also highlighted the strategic importance of breakaways in impacting general classification (GC) rankings.
